Inhaling device



INHAL ING DEVI CE Filed June 4, 1957 Q I I g'ncnfot flew we LEROY Gk/FF/ 7'H.

Patented Jan. 3, 1939 UNITED STATES INHALING DEVICE Arthur Leroy Griffith,

Baltimore, Md., assignor,

by mesne assignments, to Winchester Manufacturing Company,

Frederick O. Stauffen Application June 4, 1937, Serial No. 146,388

'7 Claims.

This invention refers to inhalers and more particularly to those adaptable to the use of volatile substances having medicated functions. It has among its objects to provide a container for substances such as menthol and the like that will be arranged to permit the use of the same for relieving physical distress, through the vapors arising from the material and suitably guided to the portion of the body selected by the arrangement of the device. Another object is to have the device of a convenient portable form for carrying around in the pocket or purse. A further object is to provide for adjustable control of the substance used, so that it may not expend itself undesirably, and may be controllably used to suit the wishes of the user. Other,

objects are to eliminate the use of screw-thread edges and projecting parts, and to provide cushion action, secure holding of the medicative in the inhaler, prevention of loose pieces getting into the inhaling orifice and full eificient use of the construction. 1 Further objects will become apparent as the invention is more fully set forth.

This invention consists of an inhaling device having a holding shell and a cap, in which a piece of menthol suitably formed, is held. A screen member forms the base against which the menthol is set and guides the valve stem, while another screen element located at the orifice which the valve controls, serves to prevent loose pieces of the medicative, extraneous parts, or foreign materials, from passing through the ori-- fice. The cap used, forms a protecting shield for the bottom of the medicative and contains an air space that forms a cushion as well as a reservoir for air.

The valve sets suitably in the shell to cover the end of same and yet avoid any projections that might be injurious or inconvenient to the user. The air inlet is formed with a tube secured to the cap in such a way as to reinforce and strengthen same and overcome the weakening effect of an opening in the bottom of the cap provided therefor, while at the same time arrange a unique type of air gate for the device. The conventional form of inhaler is not provided with these features, but is apt to have projecting and sharp edges that tend to mutilate the cloth of the pockets or out the user. Also the inhalent may become broken and loose and get into the nasal passage of the user and cause him considerable injury or inconvenience. It may also require screw threads and adjustments that are complicated mechanically, all of which this invention avoids.

In the drawing, which shows an embodiment of the invention:

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation through an inhaler embodying this invention, in open position,

Figure 2 is an end view of Figure 1, looking at the valve end portion of the inhaler,

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Figure 1,

Figure 4 is a detail of the parts separated from each other to show their specific construction and general sequence of their assembly in the device,

Figure 5 is a modified form of the invention shown in parts sectioned to indicate its internal construction, and in open position, and

Figure 6 is a detail showing the chamfered or bevelled rim construction of the shell and cap of the device.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the drawing.

In the construction shown in the drawing i represents the hollow shell of an inhaler formed as indicated, with a drawn bullet-shaped top end portion 2, having an inhaling orifice 3 therein. The body of the shell is, in general, cylindrical with a knurled exterior rib 4 formed thereon near its open end portion 5, and with the internal groove 6. The orifice is preferably circular and arranged to take a rounded valve head I, mounted on the end portion of a valve stem 8. This valve head is guided in its travel through a central passage 9 in a screen element l0, fastened within the shell near the orifice 3 as shown. The screen element is provided with a number of small holes I, that permit the passage of vapors from the medicative in the device to the orifice but obstruct pieces of material from getting through. The element also limits the travel of the valve head from closed position. A screen member l2, provided with openings i3, for the passage of the medicative vapors, and a central passage M, for guiding the lower portion of the valve stem 8. The valve stem is approximately the same length as the shell. This screen member l2 forms a shelf for limiting the position of the medicative l5 in the shell, spacing it a predetermined distance from the inhaling orifice 3. This permits a regulated mixture of air 'and medicated vapor to form within the body of the shell.

The medicated substance, like menthol, is in sorted in proper form, into the lower portion 5 of the shell and securely attaches itself in place. For this purpose, the menthol I5 is preferably conbined in a reinforced structure and fitted into the shell, using the expansion and contraction of the shell and substance to produce a tight fit. The substance l5, projects a slight distance beyond the lower portion 5 of the shell, as indicated, and has a central quasiconically formed passage l6 through it. This passage provides for the movement and travel of the valve stem 8, for passage of air from a cap l1, slidably mounted over the exterior surface of the lower portion 5 of the shell; and to permit an air.- admitting tube I8, to meet and contact the bottom surface H! of the valve stem, which closes its internal passage 20 when contacting same, and makes an air gate.

The tube 18 is secured to the closed end portion 2| by inserting its end through a hole 22 in same and crimping or upsetting it in place. The cap slides over the shell adjustably and completely closes before or when its edge 23 strikes the rib 4. At the same time the tube and stem come into contact and close the air gate, and the inhaling orifice 3 is shut by the rounded valve head 1. The medicative vaporizes in the shell and passes through the holes I3 in the screen member into the chamber formed in the shell body, where it mixes with the air in same. At the same moment the medicative also vaporizes in: the cap and mixes with the air in same until saturated. This menthol vapor mixture is held securely within the inhaler and does not escape or become noticeable. The user pulls the cap back slightly, causing the inhaling orifice 3 to open and the vapor in the shell to escape through it, especially if drawn out by an inhaling action of the user. The fresh air currents rush through the passage 20, in the tube l8, through the open air gate, pass the end of the valve stem into the shell interior or chamber where it takes up more menthol vapors, then passing same through the orifice 3. After use, the user closes the cap back against the rib 4 which compresses the air in the cap and forces same into the shell interior or chamber by the outside of the tube and stem.

As the menthol vaporizes more, in use its central passage I6 enlarges and allows vapors to pass through from the cap space to the shell chamber more or less freely. The valve stem is so substantially guided by the screen element and member that the loss of contact with the interior of the substance I5, does not affect its proper movement. The tube I8 is close to its support and does not need any further support. The movement of the cap can be utilized to increase the strength or mixture of the inhaling vapors, as may be surmised, by reason of the simple construction of the device. The valve head is out of the way at all times, and can neither injure the user or his clothes. The other features have already been referred to, and their functions can be appreciated without further detailing.

In order to permit the shell and cap to be in sorted in each other as indicated, the rim 24 of the open end of the cap is externally chamfered slightly as appears on the drawing, and the same practice occurs with respect to the rim 25 of the shell on the internal edge thereof. The object of this feature is also to avoid a binding action, or galling of the cap and shell surfaces with each other, which otherwise would tend to occur,

The modified form shown in Figure 5, works somewhat similarly, but with the medicative substance held in the cap instead of in the shell, and uses a bent fiat spring 28, supporting the valve head 1, instead of the central stem member previously mentioned. This fiat spring bears against internal surface of the wall of the shell loosely so it may slide down from the inhaling orifice, and is pushed up into closed position when the rim 24 comes into contact with it. The holes 26 in the side Wall of the cap are located adjacent the open end portion so as to be closed oil by the edge of the rim 25 when the shell is pushed further on the cap. The passage in the medicative is shown with the enlarged portion in the screen member, as in the original form, in order to keep the central hole in the latter particularly open from obstruction.

While but two forms of the invention are shown in the drawing, it is not desired to limit this application for patent to these particular forms or in any way, otherwise than limited by the prior art, as it is appreciated that other constructions might be made that would employ the same principles and come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. An inhaler comprising in combination, a shell having an inhaling orifice therein, a valve closure for the orifice operable from the interior of the shell, a screen element secured tothe shell for guiding the valve closure and screening the orifice, means for holding a medicative within the shell and spaced from the orifice to provide a mixing chamber for the vapors arising from the medicative, and a cap adjustably slidable on the shell covering the medicative and adapted to control the mixture of said vapors and co-action of the orifice and valve closure.

2. An inhaler comprising in combination, a shell having an inhaling orifice therein, a valve closure for the orifice operable from the interior of the shell, a screen element secured to the shell for guiding the valve closure and screening the orifice, means for holding a medicative within the shell and spaced from the orifice to provide a mixing chamber for the vapors arising from the medicative, a cap adjustably slidable on the shell covering the medicative and adapted to controlthe mixture of said vapors and co-action of the orifice and valve closure, and a screen member for limiting the position of the medicative in the shell and for additionally guiding the valve closure travel in the shell.

3. An inhaler of the class described, a shell body having a bullet top portion with an inhaling orifice therein, a valve head member for closing said orifice interiorly in the shell, a rib on the shell near the open end portion thereof, a cap fitting slidably on the shell and limited in position thereon by said rib, an air inlet member in the cap adapted to allow passage of air from the exterior to the interior of the shell, said last mentioned member being arranged to actuate the said valve head member and a screen member for positioning a medicative within the shell and cap in predetermined relation therewith and to guide said valve head member and to provide a superimposed chamber over. the medicative in,

adapted to allow passage of air from the exterior t0 the interior of the shell, said last mentioned member being arranged to actuate the said valve head member and a screen member for positioning a medicative within the shell and cap in predetermined relation therewith and to guide said valve head member and to provide a superimposed chamber over the medicative in the said shell for the collection of vapors therefrom, and a screen element mounted within the shell with openings therein for the straining of vapors passing to the orifice and for guiding the said valve head member.

5. An inhaler of the class described comprising in combination, a hollow shell body having an inhaling orifice thereon, a valve member for closing the orifice from the interior of the shell body and flush with the exterior surface thereof, a stem for mounting the said member, a guide in the shell for the said stem, a medicative shelf means mounted in the said shell body and adapted to control the vapors therefrom to the interior of the said body, a cap for the shell and to cover the medicative therein, air supply control attached to the said cap for allowing the passage of air from the exterior to the interior of the shell and through and about the medicative and adapted to coact with said valve stem to provide an air gate therefor.

6. An inhaler of the class described comprising in combination, a hollow shell body having an inhaling orifice thereon, a valve member for closing the orifice from the interior of the shell body and flush with the exterior surface thereof, a stem for mounting the said member, a guide in the shell for the said stem, a medicative shelf means mounted in the said shell body and adapted to control the vapors therefrom, to the interior of the said body, a cap for the shell and to cover the medicative therein, air supply control attached to the said cap for allowing the passage of air from the exterior to the interior of the shell and through and about the medicative and adaptto coact with said valve stem to provide an air gate therefor, means for screening vapors from the medicative, frictional means for controlling the travel of the cap on the shell, and to space the cap from the shell and provide a chamber for vaporization collection of the medicative under same connected with the interior of the shell.

'7. An inhaler of the class described comprising in combination, a hollow shell body having an inhaling orifice thereon, a valve member for closing the orifice from the interior of the shell body and flush with the exterior surface thereof, a stem for mounting the said member, a guide in the shell for the said stem, a medicative shelf means mounted in the said shell body and adapted to control the vapors therefrom, to the interior of the said body, a cap for the shell and to cover the medicative therein, air supply control attached to the said cap for allowing the passage of air from the exterior to the interior of the shell and through and about the medicative and adapted to coact with said valve stem to provide an air gate therefor, means for screening vapors from the medicative, frictional means for controlling the travel of the cap on the shell, and to space the cap from the shell and provide a chamber for vaporization collection of the medicative under same connected with the interior of the shell, and with means on the rims of the shell and cap for preventing galling between the surfaces of the same in contact with each other. 7

ARTHUR LEROY GRIFFITH. 

